About Koodalmanikyam Temple

Koodalmanickyam is the Malayalam translation of the Sanskrit word Sangameswara. There is, however, another tale about the name. One day the idol was found to emanate an unusual bright light  from its forehead.  Unable to identify the source of the brightness, some brought a Quartz (manikam) in the possession of the Raja of Kayamkulam for comparison.  As they were comparing the brightness of the two, it is said that the stone brought from Kayamkulam mysteriously slipped from the hand and merged with the one on the idol. The merging of two manikyams led to the name ‘Koodalmanikyam’. A similar brightness is reported to have appeared on the idol once again, much later in 1907.

It is believed that thousands of years ago the entire area now known as Irinjalakuda was a dense forest, where  a number of rishis under Kulipini Maharishi were engaged in a Yagna, offering penance to please Maha Vishnu. Pleased at the intensity and sincerity of their devotion, the Lord appeared before them and offered to satisfy their wish. All they wanted was his eternal presence at the place. The Lord readily agreed. The Rishis now prayed to Devi Ganga to bless the sacred yagabhoomi with her presence. As the springs of river Ganga fountained up and inundated the area,  the rishis immersed themselves in the sacred waters and became one with the Lord.
 
The presence of Ganga is believed to continue in the Kulipini Theertham named after the chief of rishis. This tank on the northern side is believed to be as sacred as a sanctum sanctorum. Water snakes, frogs etc. commonly found in most temple tanks are totally absent here.  Only fishes  grow freely and feeding them is considered to be special. Water for preparation of Nivedyam is taken from this tank.  Archakas after  taking bath at the outside pond, have to take a dip in Kulipini Theertham too before entering the sanctum sanctorum. 

The Hindu temple itself was not built immediately after the incident narrated above. The place was not inhabited for many hundred years probably. The folklore about how the temple came to be established here  say  that a local Chieftain, Vakkay Kaimal, had a dream one night in which some mysterious person appeared before him and told him that four idols have been washed ashore and that these idols are to be consecrated at different places.  The Kaimal being an ardent devotee,  hastened to the sea shore and found that  there were four idols as indicated in the dream. They were duly installed in four temples as directed in the dream.  Rama at Thriprayar (22 Km North west of Irinjalakuda) Bharata at Irinjalakuda, Lakshmana at Moozhikulam (30 KM south west of Irinjalakuda) and Shatrugna at Payammal (5 KM south of Irinjalakuda). 

According to the early history, in 854 A.D.,Koodalmanikyam temple is  mentioned in a stone inscription,  attributed to the Chera king Stanu Ravi Varman, who donated vast areas of land for the temple.  It is accepted that the temple must have been in existence for some time before this date and that even then Koodalmanikyam occupied a place of importance among temples of Kerala. Shri Koodalmanikyam temple plays a key role in the history of Irinjalakuda,  as most of the lands in and around the region belonged to the Koodalmanikyam temple . Shri Koodalmanikyam Devaswom has allotted land to accommodate Government institutions, Christ College and for public use to facilitate development activities in the region. 

Shri Koodalmanikyam temple is a marvel in architectural beauty.  The impressive gateways, round shaped sanctum sanctorum, the majestic Koothambalam and the carvings in wood and stone on the walls all attract students of art and architecture.  The murals on the walls on either side of the eastern entry to Chuttambalam also deserve mention.  The temple had also been an important centre of nourishment of the temple arts like Kathakali, Koothu, Koodiyattom and Thullal.  Koothambalam stage had the rare fortune to witness historic stage shows,  by the Ammannoor Chakyar family.

The lord at Koodalmanikyam is Chathurbahu Vishnu with Conch, Chakra, Gada and Japamaala. The general belief, however, is that the Lord is Bharatha , the brother of Sree Rama.  He anxiously awaited the return of Rama from exile for fourteen years and then learnt from Hanuman that Rama had reached the outskirts of Ayodhya. He was relieved and happy.  Baratha in that mood is worshipped here. Naturally Hanuman is also present at Thidappilly  [the holy kitchen]  

A distinctive feature of Koodalmanikyam temple is that there is only one single Prathista.  Even Vinayaka, usually found in all temples, does not find a place here. Usually when Thulasi leaves are offered to the diety, its seeds invariably sprouts in the premises. How this has not at any time happened in this temple is a mystery.  One explanation is that the Thulasi plant being sacred, is worshipped wherever it is found.  Probably it is to forbid even such an object of secondary worship in the temple precincts that Thulasi is not allowed to grow by some unforeseen power. 

Usually, in Kerala, the temple performs five poojas and three sivelis a day. But in Koodalmanikyam temple,  only three poojas and no siveli is done . There is no Usha pooja and Pantheeradi pooja at this shrine. The deity is taken out for ceremonial procession only during the annual festival.  There is no deeparadhana.  This is the only temple without Deeparadhana. Dhoop Sticks and camphor are not used for the pooja. The floral offerings to the deity consist of Lotus, Tulasi (ocimum sanctum) and Thechi (ixora). But they are not grown in the temple compound. No other flower is taken for pooja or for making garlands.  Lotus garland is an important offering to the deity. A garland will be offered to the deity which will have, not less than 101 Lotus flowers.  

The temple holds its  annual festival for ten days each year in the Malayalam  month of Medam (April/May).  The first day of the festival is calculated by the appearance of the Uthram asterism and signified by hoisting a ceremonial flag. Each day of the festival, temple elephants seeveli is held twice, once in the morning and once at night, with  the accompaniment of Panchari melam.  Seventeen elephants take part.  Two features of the seeveli are unique to the Koodalmanikyam Temple: 
1.  two baby elephants are included in the procession, one standing on each side of the elephant carrying the deity. 
2.  While the head dresses of seven elephants are made of pure gold, the rest are made of pure silver. 
The last two days of the festival feature Panchavadyam (sacred music from an orchestra of five instruments), and the festival ends at the Thiruvonam asterism. 

The temple is surrounded by  four ponds. The largest of the four are Kuttan Kulam, located outside the compound on the eastern side, and Kulipini Theertham, located inside the compound. Kulipini Theertham is believed  to be sanctified by the sage Kulipini Maharshi, who held a great ritual sacrifice. Priests are allowed to take part in the ceremonies after cleansing themselves at the "Kuttan Kulam" outside the temple and then after taking a dip in "Kulipini Theertham" before entering sanctum sanctorum. The pond outside the compound located at the western side,  is called "Padinjare Kulam" and the pond outside the compound located at the southern side is called "Thekke Kulam".  

It is believed that worship at all these four temples on the same day is especially meritorious.  Ardent devotees used to make it even in those days,  when they had to cover the entire distance by foot or in bullock carts. In the Malayalam month of arkidakam (July 15th to August 15th) – the Ramayana Masa, thousands of devotees do this special pilgrimge, which is popularly known as Nalambalam Thozhal – a pilgrimage to the four temples.

Nalambalam Yathra is a unique and novel pilgrimage conducted during the month of Karkitakam, the last month of Malayalam calendar.  Salient feature of Karkitaka is that it is a period of famine and illness.  To overcome such sufferings,  people resort to medical treatment and spiritual enrichment.  A special way of living and worship of Rama is the general trend of he period. Chanting of Rama mantra and Ramayana recitation echoes in each and every house . This is an eve of positive thinking about prosperity. 

Triprayar is about 23 kms away from Guruvayoor Krishna temple and Moozhikulam is 30 kms away from Irinjalakuda temple.